Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

Focusing on the future.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

"I didn't know how to tell you," I said softly. "It wasn't something I hid on purpose. I was afraid of how the academy might react if they found out I was pregnant. I wasn't sure if they would still accept me." Dwayne's expression grew somber, his eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and disappointment.

"Even me?" His voice was calm but carried a weight that made me feel small. "Arielle, we are friends. I know I have no right to demand anything from you, but you could've at least told me. I'd never rat you out, not if you were afraid of that."

I looked down, "I'm sorry. I really did think of telling you, but... I didn't know how you'd react. And honestly, what could you have done? You're not a doctor, and you're not a woman who can relate to pregnancy."

He shook his head gently, his voice unwavering. "You don't give me enough credit. I would've done anything to help you. You know I would've been there for you. Hell, I wouldn't have even gone on that trip if I knew." He paused, a small sigh escaping his lips. "What would you have done if I had already boarded that plane?"

The thought sent a chill through me. I hadn't let myself consider it before, how isolated I truly was without my family nearby. If Dwayne hadn't been there... I would've been helpless.

"You're right," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I really don't know what I would've done. I'm sorry..."

He let out a small breath, the tension between us lifting slightly. "It's fine," he said, offering me a reassuring smile. "But honestly, how did you even manage to keep a pregnancy hidden for nine months?"

I chuckled, relieved at his change in tone. "Tummy wraps, flowy dresses, all sorts of tricks to conceal the bump. I couldn't risk losing the scholarship."

"Women are something else," he said, his eyes widening in disbelief. "I give it to you."

called, my heart fluttering as the nurse walked in, carrying my baby swaddled in a

checked him over and he's perfectly healthy," she said with a kind smile,

gently took the baby from her. He looked down at the tiny bundle, his eyes softening. "He's really something," he

cradling him with such tenderness, stirred something deep inside me. It wasn't a comparison-I hadn't meant to-but for the first time in a long

the sharp pang

felt something Thadn't expected: peace. There was no anger, no lingering sadness. Just a strange calmness. Maybe, just maybe, this child would

him, and I realized that

sense of hope swelled within me. This little boy didn't need to be defined by his absent father. He had a future ahead of him,

I whispered, holding my son close. "For everything. I don't know how I would've managed without

slightly, his calm composure reassuring. "You don't need to thank me. You don't owe me anything, Arielle.

lips. "If there's anything I can do to

a trace of gravity. "Careful, don't make promises you don't mean," he teased

softly, the tension in the room finally

said, giving me a cooler, more thoughtful

being the gentle coos from my son. But then, Dwayne's voice broke through, softer now. "Speaking things you could do,

something I've been meanine

g to ask.

as though carefully